Olivier Giroud is a player reborn in Italy. His brace against Red Bull Salzburg in Wednesday's final Champions League group game sealed AC Milan's place in the last 16, as he demonstrated his leadership and proved why Paolo Maldini was right to bring him over to Serie A to work under manager Stefano Pioli.
Milan spent less than £865,000 (€1million) to sign him from Chelsea, and Giroud is experiencing an extraordinary final phase of his career that allows him to be Pioli's first-choice striker despite turning 36 in September.
He has scored eight goals in 17 games across all competitions this season, an amazing return for a player who has become a protagonist in Milan's project by finding the net at important moments.